Here's how you can unleash your creativity to build an exceptional personal brand.

One of the most valuable LinkedIn resources to showcase your creativity and build an exceptional personal brand is writing articles to share with your network. On the landing / home page, click "Write article" to present your unique perspective and expertise providing insightful content demonstrating your thought leadership in your field or in an area you're passionate about. The best articles are written as an educator, delivering information with a few take aways for your audience to consider, use, and implement. Find a colorful, eye-catching image to attract LinkedIn member attention for your thoughtfully-written content to get your readers' attention, grow your personal brand, and offer inspiring subject matter expertise.

Goal setting is the punch in crafting any personal brand. Yes that inspiration that strikes at that particular time that you can't resist. Move a little further to document it (your goals) because. 1. You can forget. 2. The final project is yet to be and you will always need to look back as yoi progress. 3. Although it is your brand you need the help of others to launch off as well as expand. They need to understand your aim. 4. From time to time you will have to evaluate your progress and make possible adjustments or improvements.

To begin crafting your personal brand, set clear goals. Ask yourself what you want to achieve in your career and how you wish to be perceived. Are you lucky enough to have a mentor, inspiration, or clear end goal to start making that path? Are you aiming to be seen as an innovator, a thought leader, or a reliable expert? By defining your objectives, you can tailor your personal brand to align with your career aspirations. This focused approach ensures that every piece of content you create and share contributes to the narrative you want to establish about yourself. There are so many books on self branding you can read, watch, or listen to.

When you build a brand from what you have an interest in, you set yourself up for greatness- you will naturally go after doing, offering and getting the best. You will even surprise yourself. Because you have an interest in what you do, you will budget time and energy to not just get it done but also, to let it boom.

Brand building starts with self-discovery. Determining you passion and what you do best. By turning that into your Brand, you will start to stand out from others around you. All the great innovators turned their passion into a career or their personal Brand. They became the go-to for that thing. In your career field align your passion with something and make that your Brand and Image, become the go-to for that thing. It helps turn your job search also into being sought out for your expertise.

Your personal brand will shine brightest where your passion and expertise intersect. Being unique is your brand. Identifying your niche involves understanding what you do best and where you can offer the most value. Think about the skills that set you apart and how they relate to your industry's needs. By pinpointing this sweet spot, you can concentrate your efforts on becoming a go-to source within your specific domain, making your job search more targeted and effective.

Every great company or organization has their logo or image for branding or trademark. Create something similar for yourself, imagery is powerful. It can create motivations to buy popcorn at the theater or to inspire you to spontaneous purchase. Put thought into your Branding and imagery, be creative and showcase yourself in a way that best reflects you and what you stand for as well as what you offer in skills and abilities. This will be something that will leave a lasting impression, they may not remember your resume, but they may remember the way you or your Brand made them feel, and that can last a lifetime.

Visual elements are powerful tools for conveying your personal brand. When aiming for a Director or VP title, study the visual presentation of top professionals in similar roles on LinkedIn. Notice if they wear suits or casual attire, reflecting the company culture. Are they dressed like they are about to audit your taxes or about to take you to an outdoor concert and give you a warm welcome? This includes your choice of colors, fonts, and imagery used on your resume, business cards, and online profiles. Consistency in these elements creates a memorable brand that captures attention. Align your visual identity with your target company to stand out and fit into their corporate environment.

Being an advocate for job seekers, I made the decision to use the LinkedIn platform to provide tips, tools and motivation for those looking for a new opportunity. Having been a job seeker myself, I am passionate about helping others and try to add value, every day, through my posts. LinkedIn is a wonderful tool where I can be creative, passionate and helpful to others. I highly suggest to others to become active on this platform. I have met so many wonderful people and have been able to help so many job seekers. LinkedIn has positively changed my life and it can change your life too.

Content creation is a dynamic way to showcase your expertise and personality. When I create content on LinkedIn, I am mindful of my followers' time, ensuring it is educational, entertaining, inspiring, actionable, or lightens their load for the day or future. Whether through long articles, pictures, blogs, videos, LinkedIn posts, or podcasts, producing original content can help you establish thought leadership in your field. Focus on topics you are particularly skilled in or passionate about and that provide value to your audience. This approach demonstrates your knowledge, personality, priorities, style, and problem-solving abilities, which are valuable traits in any profession.

Networking is not just about collecting contacts; it's about building meaningful relationships within your industry. It is better to make a few quality contacts than to gather everyone's card. Attend the right events, join elite online forums, and participate in discussions where you can contribute insights and learn from others. By engaging with your professional community, you increase your visibility and establish yourself as an active member of your field. Remember, the connections you make can lead to job opportunities and collaborations that further enhance your personal brand. People are always moving up and down, so always be kind—you never know when you might be helping or needing that person's help in the future.

Personal branding is an ongoing process. Regularly reflect on your brand's impact and make necessary adjustments to stay relevant. As you grow professionally, your brand should evolve with you. Keep an eye on how others respond to your brand and be open to feedback. This will help you fine-tune your approach, ensuring that your personal brand continues to be a true representation of who you are and where you're headed in your career.

Yes, network, reflect and adapt and try to give away something- an opportunity, a token or engage an audience regardless of it being face to face or virtual. It is not only first impressions are lasting but also fond moments. Give people a taste of valuable to talk about so they and others can return. You are not the only PRO in your business. Your customers/clients/guest etc are the better 'Hawkeye PROs'

Ok building a new brand shouldn't be about how creative you can get- it is about how professional you need to be. ELEVATE yourself as you build out your brand. What do you want to be known for? How do you want others to think about you? Who will be checking out your personal brand/linkedIn, website, etc... Does it resonate with them? Those are the keys you need to think about. Don't get too personal, or really leave that out totally - stay professional, classic and sharp.